The Velvet Mill, once a historic textile plant, is now home to artists and craftsmen including painters, photographers, printmakers, glassblowers, fiber artists, potters and sculptors, making the mill a vibrant creative community. It's a great place to spend a leisurely afternoon. In addition to established shops and studios, the mill also hosts an indoor flea market on weekends, where shoppers will discover collectables, vintage items and hand crafted items.
Read moreGillette Castle State Park
Gillette Castle is a wonderful destination for a day trip from the Mystic area. It has so much to offer! The castle itself was built high on a cliff above the Connecticut River in the early 20th century by legendary Sherlock Holmes stage actor William Gillette. Known as a man ahead of his time, he paired beautiful craftsmanship with quirky design. You will be amazed by the history of this unique structure!
Read moreVisiting the RISD Museum
If you're like me, you love a good art gallery. I find it so fulfilling to spend an afternoon being visually satiated by colorful works of all forms. There are a number of options close by, such as the Mystic Museum of Art or the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, but if you're looking for a wider range of time periods and mediums, I'd head up to the RISD Museum in Providence, Rhode Island.
Read moreThe Elms & The Breakers: An Afternoon at the Newport Mansions
This past weekend I took my visiting parents up to Newport to explore the exquisite mansions of the Gilded Age. Before I get to the pictures, may I just say, that Newport is a lovely town. In addition to majestic mansions, there are tasty restaurants, cute shops, famous festivals and great beaches. The drive over the bridge is one of my favorite parts of visiting.
Read moreStonington Point and Old Stonington Lighthouse
Stonington Point is a must see for the people who come to visit us up here in New England! Water Street in Stonington Borough has adorable little shops and restaurants. I love driving to the point for panoramic views of Fisher’s Island Sound and duBois Beach.
Read moreBiking Noank and Groton Long Point
One of the best ways to get out and explore the Mystic/Groton area is to hop on a bike! There are plenty of bike trails along major roads as well as in state parks, and I’ve found that the drivers here are largely used to bikers and treat us with caution. Of course, you want to make sure you’re wearing bright colors, stay alert and obey the rules of the road.
Read moreBluff Point Coastal Reserve
I’ve been visiting Bluff Point to walk my pup, go for a run or take my mountain bike our for a spin several times a week since we moved to the Mystic area back in June. I love the sights, smells and feel of that forest. I can’t say enough good things about it! I was so glad to discover a place that gave me such peace when first moving to a new home town.
Read moreHaley Farm
Haley Farm State Park is a beautiful area for walking and hiking. It’s also a wonderful place to walk your dog, go mountain biking or go for a run.
Read moreBarn Island
As charming a town as Mystic is, an escape to sprawling embrace of nature can still feel necessary. This weekend I enjoyed a beautiful mini hike with my future husband and my pup to Barn Island, a short drive less than twenty minutes from central Mystic.
Read moreThe Mystic River
The Mystic River is at the heart of our little “non-existent” town, and serves as the divider between Groton and Stonington. If you’re not aware, Mystic is not really a town – it’s two! Unified by a common USPS zip code.
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